Numismatic
/ˌnjuːmɪsˈmætɪk/noun
Relating to coins or the study of coins and currency.
Did you know?Numismatics grew from the Greek word for a coin, *nomisma*, which was tied to what was “customary” or “legally sanctioned,” showing that money began as a rule-bound symbol of power, not just metal.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*nem-
“to assign, allot, distribute”
Ancient Greek
Greek
νέμω (némō)
“I distribute, assign, or pasture”
Ancient Greek
Greek
νόμισμα (nómisma)
“That which is customary or sanctioned by law; a coin”
Late Latin
Latin
numisma / numismatis
“Coin; money”
16th Century
French
numismatique
“Relating to coins; the study of coins”
Modern English
English
numismatic
“Relating to coins or the study of coins and currency”